American Express Spending & Saving Tracker Americans Gearing Up for Summer Getaways Prepared by: June 2,
Research Method The American Express Spending & Saving Tracker research was completed among a random sample of 1,500 adults, including the general U.S. population, as well as an Affluent demographic, defined as having a minimum annual household income of $100,000. Interviewing was conducted by Ebiquity, formerly Echo Research, between April 18 and 22,. Overall the results have a margin of error of ± 2.5 (total) and ± 2.9 (total with summer vacation plans) percentage points at the 95% level of confidence. www.ebiquity.com Page 2
More Americans are Gearing Up for Summer Getaways Three in four (75%) consumers overall are planning a summer getaway this year (vs. 69% in ) with most planning a vacation close to home. The average summer trip is expected to cost $1,246, per person (up from $1,145 in ). Summer Vacation Plans SUMMER VACATION PLANS (75%) (up from 69% in and 59% in 2012) I will be taking a vacation within the U.S. 70% 65% Average Summer Travel Spend (per person) I will be taking a vacation outside the U.S. 17% 18% $1,153 $1,180 $1,145 $1,246 2011 2012 Both within and outside the U.S. 13% 15% Q. Which of the following describes where you plan to travel for your summer vacation? BASE: Total respondents Q. How much per person do you plan to spend on your summer vacation(s), overall, in?base: Among those with summer vacation plans Page 3
Weekend Getaway Plans between May and September Expected to be on the Rise More than two thirds of summer travelers plan to take at least one-full week (69%), and 67% (up from 59% in ) are planning weekend-getaways for an average of 3 weekends between May and September. And, a third (32% vs. 29% in ) are planning to get away for two weeks or longer. Length of Summer Vacation Planned One Full Week-Long 69% 66% Employees to receive an Average of 14 Vacation Days in the Calendar Year Two Full Weeks-Long 32% 29% Weekend-Getaways 67% 59% Average of 3 Summer Weekend Getaways Planned in Q. How much vacation time do you get in a calendar year? Base: Total Respondents Employed Q. How many WEEK-LONG TRIPS do you plan on taking, overall, this summer? Q. And, how many summer WEEKEND-GETAWAYS are you planning for between May and September? Base: Among those with summer vacation plans Page 4
Most Summer Travelers will Travel over a Holiday Weekend More than one half (54% - up from 45% in ) of summer travelers intend to vacation over the holiday such as, The Fourth of July (41%, up from 31% in ) and Labor Day Weekend (29%, up from 23% in ). Holiday Vacation Plans Any Holiday Travel 54% (up from 45% in, and 43% in 2012) Fourth of July Weekend 31% 41% Labor Day Weekend 23% 29% Memorial Day Weekend 28% 24% Q. Will you be traveling over any of the summer holiday weekends? Base: Among those with summer vacation plans Page 5
Family Trips Continue to be the Top Summer Vacation Just under eight in ten (78% vs. 74% in ) summer travelers plan to travel with their immediate family. Family trip with immediate family Traveling with my spouse or significant other Group vacation with friends, e.g., Girlfriend Getaway or 'Mancation' Who do Consumers Plan to Travel with this Summer? 16% 11% 40% 36% 78% 74% 51% of summer travelers will likely (very or somewhat bring their pet along (vs. 49% not very or not at all likely)* Will be traveling alone Group vacation with multiple families or extended family Couplecation 15% 15% 13% 9% 10% 8% Other 2% 1% *note: 59% of summer travelers own a pet Q. Who do you plan on traveling with for your summer vacation(s)? Base: Among those with summer vacation plans Q. How likely are you to bring your pet with you on your summer vacation this year? Base: Among those with summer vacation plans who own a pet Page 6
Activities at the Beach, River, or Lake Lead for Summer Plans Nearly one half (45%) of summer travelers are planning activities that involve a trip to the beach, river or lake, followed by shopping (41%). Activities Planned for Summer Travel this Year Total with Summer Vacation Plans Beach/River/Lake Shopping Learning activities (visits to museums, historical buildings, monuments, etc.) Family reunions 27% 32% 32% 32% 37% 45% 44% 41% Water parks 23% 27% Physical activity (yoga, hiking, marathon, etc.) 21% 20% Camping 20% 21% Culinary adventures (wine tasting, cheese tour, etc.) 18% 16% Sporting events 14% 14% Spa 11% 10% Golf 8% 8% School reunions 4% 3% Q. What activities do you have planned for your summer travel this year? Base: Among those with summer vacation plans Page 7
More Summer Travelers are Looking for Ways to Reduce Vacation Costs More than nine in ten (91% - up from 88% in ) of travelers say they re looking for ways to reduce costs or make trade-offs in order to afford their trips (60% - up from 57% in ). These travelers are employing a variety ways to stretch their budgets, and among those include driving instead of flying (44% - up from 39% in ), taking a shorter trip and dedicating more time bargain hunting (33% each). Methods Employed to Stretch Budgets Summer Travelers Look for Ways to Reduce Costs and Willing to Make Trade-Offs Driving instead of flying to your destination 44% 39% Employing a strategy to reduce summer vacation costs Trade-offs made to Afford a summer vacation 91% 88% 60% 57% Shorter trip/ vacation Dedicating more time to bargain-hunting Staying at a property with a kitchen to enable cooking-in 33% 33% 33% 27% 30% 23% Choosing a cheaper destination Travel outside of summer holidays/peak period 28% 23% 24% 19% Q. Strategy to reduce the cost of your summer vacation? Q. What trade-offs, if any, have you made in order to afford a summer vacation? Base: Among those with summer vacation plans Top 6 out of 14 illustrated Page 8
More Travelers Plan their Summer Trips Earlier Rather than Later About two-thirds (64%) book their summer travel plans at least one month out or more in advance. On average travelers typically visit 5 online sites before booking. How Far Out are Summer Plans Booked? More than one month out One month out 25% 27% 39% 38% 64% book at least one month out or more in advance Two-three weeks out Very last minute: the week of 5% 5% 24% 21% Before booking travel plans, approximately 5 online sites are typically visited Not illustrated - % responded other or not sure Q. Before booking your travel plans, approximately how many online sites do you typically visit? Q. How far out do you typically book your summer travel? Base: Among those with summer vacation plans Page 9
Online Tools Continue to be Top Resource for Booking Summer Travel More than six in ten (63%, vs. 56% in ) summer travelers turn to the internet to book their summer vacations. Notably, resourcing of travel agents has risen to 11% (from 8% in 2012). Resources Used when Booking Summer Vacations Online tools, such as travel websites 56% 63% Recommendations from friends/family 39% 38% Direct airline, hotel or auto rental hub 27% 33% Travel agent 11% 10% (8% in 2012) Q. Which of the following resources will you be using when booking your summer vacations? Base: Among those with summer vacation plans Page 10